Abstract:
In most developing countries mostly in Africa and the in the middle east, the level of contraceptive uptake has been low which is attributed to poor health infrastructure and lack of good transportation networks that hinder access to family planning services. Pregnancies within the first 12 months after a birth are at the highest risk for adverse health outcomes to the mother and child which could lead to potentially unsafe induced abortion and are at elevated risk for giving birth before 28 weeks, giving birth to dead babies, giving birth to children who have a birth weight of less than 2800 grams and also giving birth to babies who are smaller than their gestational age. The study aimed to determine the factors associated with uptake of postpartum family planning methods in Muhoroni Sub-County of Kisumu County, Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional study was used to collect data from the postpartum women with the use of structured questionnaires, focus group discussion and key informant interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive and chi square test for comparison. 210 women participated in the study. Majority of the women were between the age of 25-29 with the prevalence of Postpartum Family Planning (PPFP) being 52.45%. The significant factors at p < 0.05 level were age (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.60-0.99), education (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.28-2.88) and employment (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.12-2.28). Majority of the women are undecided as to the method of postpartum contraception they would opt for. This could either be due to limited knowledge of the available contraceptive methods or the influence of language barrier given that large numbers with diverse ethnicity and levels of education. Barriers to uptake of postpartum family planning were breastfeeding, distance to health facility, health system factors, side effects, perception of other people and male involvement. The need to engage partners and religious leaders in clarifying misguided information and misconceptions regarding contraceptive use may help improve the women’s uptake and utilization of contraceptives in the postpartum period as this clearly has shown benefit in reducing maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortalities.
